Daily Gourmet

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More on dates...

Dates are a delicious and ancient treat - remains of dates have been found on Neolithic sites, evidence that they were eaten 7,000 to 8,000 years ago. And we learn of their cultivation in the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest works of literature, a story of ancient Babylonia. Gilgamesh was the ruler of Uruk, one of the largest cities in Mesopotamia, the area known as the cradle of civilization, several thousand years before the common era. In the Epic, Gilgamesh mentions date cultivation in conversation with Ishtar, the goddess of love: “the gardener of your father's palm grove… He brought you baskets filled with dates without end; every day he loaded your table.”

Try the amazing Bon Dates from Sweet Pillar. Nadia Hubbi's creations are even better than anything Gilgamesh could have imagined...

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Marion's Smart Delights - Recipes!

This week we are featuring a set of baking mixes from Marion's Smart Delights. Marion did a fantastic job creating versatile baking mixes that you can use to create delicious cookies, muffins and lemon bars that are gluten free and, depending on your dietary restrictions, can also be vegan. The possibilities are endless. Below we are posting just 2 of the amazing recipes Marion has on her site.

First, a recipe for vegan muffins:

Vegan Chocolaty Chocolate Chip Espresso Muffins 

(Makes 10-12 muffins)

These muffins are an absolute delight. To achieve best results use Dutch-Process Cocoa or Alkalized Unsweetened Cocoa Powder.

What You Need:

1 box Marion's Cookie and Muffin Baking Mix

1 ½ tablespoons of  low sodium baking powder

100 ml (7 tablespoons) of extra light olive oil

1 ½ teaspoons of ground Chia/Salba seeds mixed with ¼ cup of water

1 cup unsweetened apple sauce plus 3 extra tablespoons

3 tablespoons of organic unsweetened cocoa powder

1 ½ teaspoon of espresso or coffee powder (this is of course optional)

1 cup of GF and dairy-free chocolate chips

Optional: you may add the following 1-2 tablespoons of flax seeds or a bit of your favorite sweetener.  You could also replace the coffee or espresso powder with 1 teaspoon of natural orange flavoring.  Last but not least, you may stay with a pure chocolaty flavor not adding espresso, coffee or orange flavoring.

Directions:

Grind Chia seeds. A coffee grinder works well. Mix with ¼ cup of water let sit for 15 minutes or until it forms a gel.

Line baking pan with paper cups or spray with GF baking spray.

Measure 100 ml olive oil and 1cup of chocolate chips.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place Marion’s Cooking and Muffin Baking Mix in a bowl; add baking powder, cocoa powder and espresso or coffee powder. Mix with whisk.

Add Chia seed gel and olive oil.

Mix for (with electric mixer) 10 seconds at low speed and 1-2 minutes at high speed.

Taste to see whether you would like to add some of your favorite sweetener.
- Fold in chocolate chips.

Using a spoon or medium size ice cream scoop, fill baking cups.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes depending on your oven. Check with toothpick after 25 minutes. When the toothpick comes out clean, the muffins are done.  If you prefer a crunchy muffin, allow it to bake 2-3 extra minutes. The extra time is recommended because with the olive oil and Chia gel the mixture is extra moist.

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And now, her standard recipe for chocolate chip muffins. Gluten free or not, these muffins will be some of the best you have ever had! And they only take 15 minutes of preparation and 25 minutes in the oven.

Marion’s Delightfully Delicious Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffin

(Makes 10-12 muffins)

What You Need:

1 Marion’s GF Cookie & Muffin mix

1 jumbo egg

1 stick of room temperature unsalted butter

1 ½ tablespoons of reduced sodium baking powder

1 cup of unsweetened apple sauce

1 cup of chocolate chips – semi sweet

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut butter in small pieces.

Line baking pan with paper cups or spray with GF baking spray.

Place Marion’s Smart Delight mix in a bowl; add baking powder and mix with whisk.

Add egg and butter.

Mix for (with electric mixer) 10 seconds at low speed and 1-2 minutes at high speed.

Add apple sauce, mix well.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Using a spoon or medium size ice cream scoop, fill baking cups.

Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes.

Looking for more ideas? Marion has a lot more recipes on her site! To purchase this offer, click here.

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Tea for Three. Part 3: White

For our third and last blog post on tea, we’ll explore the “youngest” of the three types of tea: white tea.

The Chinese have enjoyed white for over a thousand years, but it’s relatively new to the rest of the world. White tea has a lighter, more delicate flavor than its robust cousins, green and black. It also has less caffeine, so can be enjoyed without the side effects of a buzz. Where does white tea come from? Like all teas, white tea also comes from the Carmellia Sinensis plant. But unlike the other teas, white tea is made of the youngest buds of the tea plant. In fact, white tea gets its name from the fine silvery white hairs on the unopened buds. Due to of complex rules of when and how white tea can be harvested and treated, it can be hard to find quality white teas. Health benefits of white tea White tea has a higher level of antioxidants than any other tea. Antioxidants are nutrients that protect the body from damage by free radicals and cancer-causing cells. Flavonoids, a class of antioxidants, slow the growth of cancer cells and can prevent new ones from developing. White tea is also thought to strengthen the circulatory and immune system, benefit bones and teeth, and help to keep your skin healthy. How to drink white tea    When you make white tea, make sure your water is hot, but not boiling. Use two teaspoons of loose-leaf tea per cup. Like with any tea, the longer you steep the tea, the stronger it will taste. To get some delicious loose-leaf white tea of your own, check out our latest offer from Ovation Teas.

Sources: White Tea Guide

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Tea for Three. Part 2: Green

Have you ever heard the expression “Not for all the tea in China?” This phrase originated in the late 1800’s and comes from the fact that much of the world’s tea, one quarter to be precise, comes from China. And when people say tea in China, they mean green tea.

To refuse to do something “for all the tea in China” is to decline an offer no matter what the reward. It’s no wonder that a lifetime’s supply of green tea is considered the ultimate reward. In addition to it’s fresh, leafy taste, green tea is considered to have a wealth of healing properties.

In the previous Daily Gourmet post, we covered the most consumed type of tea around the world: black tea. Today, we’ll discuss its healthier, less-processed cousin: green tea.

Green, black and white teas are available in our latest offer: Ovation Teas. 

History of green tea.

Green tea preceded all other kinds of tea. It’s believed that green tea was discovered in China over four thousand years ago. A book written in the Tang dynasty, between 600 and 900 AD, spoke about the best ways and places to enjoy a cup of green tea. Eventually green tea made it's way to Japan in the 800's. From there, the Japanese developed their famous green teas such as sencha, matcha and bancha. Green tea did not become popular in the Western world until the 16th or 17th century when Japan started trading it with Europe.

Health benefits of green tea.

Green tea is believed to have the most health benefits of all the teas. This may be because, though it comes from the same plant as black tea (Carmellia Sinensis), green tea leaves are simply steamed instead of completely oxidized like black tea. In this light processing, many of the useful antioxidants, tannins and flavonoids are preserved. Green tea and green tea extracts have been used to prevent and treat a variety of cancers. It is also used to lower cholesterol levels, and, most popularly, aid in weight loss. In fact, green tea is recommended in many weight loss and detox diets. Though it has less caffeine than black tea, green tea will still give you an energy jolt, so you may not want to consume it at night before bed. 

Look at our latest offer from Ovation Teas to purchase some delicious green tea to enjoy for yourself. 

Sources:

Green Tea Information

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

History of Green Tea

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Tea for Three. Part 1: Black

Loose leaf or bagged. White, black, green or oolong. Iced or hot. Tea seems to be a favorite in every country on the planet.  Historically, tea has been used for medicinal purposes, for political purposes (Boston Tea Party, anyone), and, best of all, for pure pleasure.

Each type of tea affects the body (and palate) in its own delightful way. The next few Daily Gourmet blog posts will cover black, green and white teas, since these are the choices available in our latest offer: Ovation Teas.

Today, we’ll cover the most popular tea: black tea.

It’s no wonder that it’s the most consumed tea around the globe. From Darjeeling to English to good old Earl Grey, black tea has more varieties than any other color of tea and it’s often the most affordable. Perhaps because it’s used for most iced teas, black tea makes up 90% of the tea sipped from America’s mugs and glasses.

The origins of black tea.

Like all teas, black tea comes from the Camellia sinesis plant. White tea, green tea, oolong, pu-erh tea are also harvested from this plant, but they’re processed differently for entirely distinctive results. Most black tea is produced in one of three countries: India, Sri Lanka or China, with India leading the charge. Its climate and mountains produce some of the finest black teas in the world.

The black tea buzz.

Black tea contains 2% to 4% caffeine, which is about half as much caffeine as coffee. However, there is much debate in this area as it depends on how strong the coffee is brewed and how long the tea is seeped. Regardless, black tea will definitely give you a buzz.

Health benefits of black tea.

As you already know, caffeine has the effect of boosting speed and alertness. Black tea also contains antioxidants and can reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. There is some evidence that people who drink black tea have a lower risk of heart attack. If they do have a heart attack, they are less likely to die if they have been drinking black tea for at least a year. So, drink up!

One more reason to drink black tea.

Because it’s delicious. Whether on its own or with a little milk and sugar, black tea is enjoyable at any time of day. Look at our latest offer from Ovation Teas for your own distinctive tea selection.

Sources:

WebMD

The Color of Tea

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Ovation Teas

Black tea, green tea, white tea: what’s the difference?

Actually, all tea is made from the leaves of the same plant, Camellia sinensis. What happens after the tea leaves are picked is what determines its color designation—and caffeine levels. Producing black tea requires the most processing of the tea leaves. First they dry the leaves and then they keep them in high humidity. This is the stage where they turn a dark color. Finally the leaves are dried until they are crisp.  Green teas are considered minimally processed. Unlike making black tea, the leaves are steamed just after harvesting. Then the leaves are rolled, spread out, and dried until they are crisp. The leaves keep their green color and produce a less tannic, slightly astringent flavor which is akin to the taste of the fresh leaf. White tea is tea made from the very young buds and leaves of the tea plant. Picked before the buds fully open, they are covered with a silver fuzz that turns white when the tea is dried. The buds are steamed and dried immediately after harvesting resulting in the delicate nature of white tea. 

Want to try some amazing tea? Get it now!

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Ope's Cookies

(continued from our offer page)

Ope’s Cookies use oatmeal and applesauce as their base, creating moist, soft, gratifying cookies—with mix-ins to satisfy every palate. Classics like chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin are great twists on comforting flavors, while the cranberry chip cookies or the peanut butter chocolate chip version are perfectly sweet and satisfying. 

What began as a vegan restaurant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has turned into a company selling the restaurant’s most beloved treats. And Ope’s Cookies are cookies on a mission to indulge cookie lovers the world over, while at the same time saving the world. The father and daughter team that developed Ope’s Cookies are fierce advocates for using natural, unprocessed, organic ingredients without sacrificing great taste. And, great taste does indeed not have to come at a high price: these cookies are kind to the planet and the body (each counts only 200 calories!). 

Ope’s Cookies are perfect as an afternoon snack or after dinner sweet treat. And though it might be hard to imagine, Ope’s Cookies are great for breakfast on-the-go: it’s like eating a bowl of oatmeal (with a few chocolate chips thrown in, of course!).

Curious? Get them now!

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Tasty and NUTritious

It can drive you nuts, the confusion about this whole “good fat/bad fat” thing. Well, fear not, Daily Gourmet is here to break it down. And we’ll do so in the context of our recent offer for Oren’s Kitchen delicious artisan slow-roasted nuts. Feel free to snack while you read.

Nuts are high in “good” fat. Also known as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, these “good” fats lower the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level in your blood. (Saturated fats are the “bad” fats that clog arteries and cause obesity). LDL is the cholesterol that can build up and cause heart disease.

By lowering your cholesterol, nuts can actually reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as 35%. That’s not a bad result of enjoying a delicious snack. But there are even more healthy benefits to these tasty little treats.

Eat your omega-3s. You’ve heard of these helpful fatty acids. They’re found in fish, some plants, and, you guessed it, nuts. You body needs omega-3s, but it can' t make them on its own, you have to get them through food. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

Fill up on fiber. Nuts also contain fiber. Fiber has the benefit of not only lowering your cholesterol, but also making you feel full. Feeling full means you’re less likely to snack on other less healthy foods.

What kind of nuts are best? The tastiest of course. Let’s talk specifically about almonds, cashews, pecans and macadamia nuts—the four nuts offered in Oren’s Kitchen’s selection. 

Cashews: the whole nine. There are a total of nine amino acids. Amino acids help you absorb protein into you body.  Cashew contains high levels of all nine amino acids. 

Thiamin says: eat macadamia nuts. Also known as Vitamin B1, thiamin is needed to convert carbs into energy and to maintain the nervous system. One cup of macadamia nuts provides over 100% of your daily thiamin requirement. 

Almonds, the feel good nut. Almonds contain tryptophan, which helps in relieving stress and controlling mood swings. They can also help improve memory.  According to healthtipsandremedy.com, a daily snack of five to six almonds that have been soaked in water or milk overnight will increase your memory. Weird.

Pecans antioxidant. Pecans are a rich in antioxidants such as polyphenolic antioxidant ellagic acid, vitamin E, beta-carotenes, lutein and zeaxanthin. Though hard to pronounce, these compounds help your body remove toxic oxygen free radicals from your body to protect it from diseases such as cancer and infections. 

Of course, like any food, nuts are best for you when eaten in moderation. They are, after all, high in calories, so practice good portion control and try to eat no more than a small handful a day. It can be difficult, especially when you have nuts as good as Oren's.

Now order the best-tasting little bundles of fiber, protein and omega 3’s that you will ever have!

Sources:

Mayo Clinic <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nuts/HB00085>

Livestrong <http://www.livestrong.com/article/10452-choose-nuts-low-fat/>

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Daily Gourmet - Derrick Sky cookies (vegan and gluten-free)

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Daily Gourmet - Food For Lovers

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Truly The Most Nutritious Chocolate!

How would you like to get your daily dose of antioxidants and superfoods in a healthy, yet decadent chocolate bar?  Gnosis raw chocolate bars feature standout ingredients that not only taste delicious, but also pack a nutritional punch!

Raw cacao, known as the food of the gods in ancient South American cultures, is the premiere ingredient in Gnosis chocolate bars.  Cacao is packed with magnesium, chromium, iron, vitamin C, copper, tryptophan, and more.  Cacao is also a source of the neurotransmitter phenethylamine, which is released in the body to cause feelings of euphoria!  Gnosis sources its cacao directly to ensure raw integrity and fair labor practices, and then pairs the primary ingredient with additional superfood components to create a magnificent chocolate food—with all these delectable nutrients, Gnosis chocolate is certainly not just a candy!

One of my favorites Gnosis products is the Fleur de Sel chocolate bar, also featured in today’s Daily Gourmet deal!  The deep chocolate bar is dusted with specialty Pink Himalayan salt harvested from Tibet’s Himalayan region.  This Fleur de Sel is a superfood that delivers 92 additional minerals, including potassium, magnesium, and calcium, all while enhancing the natural cacao flavor to bring the chocolate bar to another level.

The SuperChoc bar is truly the nutrient king of Gnosis chocolate!  This bar is absolutely packed with nutrients, including the powerful adaptogen maca, which moderates the hormonal system, promotes fertility, and enhances endurance.  Organic goji berries also make an appearance in the SuperChoc bar, acting as an adaptogen to moderate stress levels!  The SuperChoc bar even enhances your mental acuity by providing a dose of the traditional superherb Gotu kola, which has been used for centuries to boost brain power and concentration.  Take another bite and let the chocolate do the work!

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Daily Gourmet - Gnosis Chocolate

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"Life Is Like A Bowl of Cherries"..and Granola!

"Life is like a bowl of cherries"...this is a famous quote that came from a 1930's song..

Life is just a bowl of cherries; Don't make it serious; Life's too mysterious. You work, you save, you worry so, But you can't take your dough when you go, go, go. So keep repeating it's the berries; The strongest oak must fall. The sweet things in life To you were just loaned, So how can you lose what you've never owned? Life is just a bowl of cherries, So live and laugh at it all. (From cached listserv item:) "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries" was the title of a song by Lew Brown and Ray Henderson, sung by Ethel Merman in Scandals (1931).

How in the world does this relate to Granola you may ask??? Well upon discovering Simply Suzannes Granola at the Michigan VegFest this year, I stumbled upon one of the "sweetest things in life" as the song says.  I bypass the numerous packages of granolas in the cereal aisle habitually as they are typically filled with loads of added refined sugars, artificial colors, flavors, and high fructose corn syrups.  In addition, from a nutritional perspective, they are typically very high in sugars, low in protein and dietary fiber depending on the brand and how they are processed. 

So when a lovely representative from Simply Suzanne's stopped me and asked if I wanted to try the So Very Cherry and Original Granola at the VegFest I hesitated. Then doing what I do best, I quickly scanned the label and her nutritional info and short ingredient list jumped out at me...First of all, the serving is 1/2 cup in comparison to the typical 1/4 cup granola serving.  Her calories were quite standard at 230 calories per cup but there were 5 grams of cholesterol lowering dietary fiber, 8 grams of vegan protein and only 9 grams of sugar coming from maple syrup and brown sugar.  OK she got me on the stats...now for taste..

I sample the souffle cup first and realized quickly after savoring each bite that something was off...in a good way..What was that taste or kick at the end? I looked at the rep and she said "black pepper & sea salt"..Black Pepper in Granola??? I had never heard of such a recipe...then she hooked me...

This totally unique granola reminded me of the song above..dont take life to seriously and keep it mysterious...The same can apply to your morning cereal...start your day off with a happy song and simply suzanne for a little mystery and surprise!!

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Chutney for Children in Last Weeks Offer from Bombay Emerald Chutney!

This past weekend happened to be my daughter's annual soccer swim party and barbeque. I was given the task of bringing the "chips & dip". So in balancing the mom, enjoyable party guest and nutritionist role..I decided to bring my unopened jars of Bombay Emerald Chutneys, and pair them with Simply 7 Hummus & Lentil chips (straight from the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago).  Now I realize this is not your average Tortilla Chip & Packaged Salsa and I was going to get some backlash from the 8 year old soccer starts.

After some very nasty looks, one by one the girls started dipping their chips (and even some veggies) in the Chutneys! The sweetness of the Pomegranate & Plum were a huge it for the girls! I especially like that they are abundant in polyphenols (cancer preventing antioxidants) from the pomegranates, plums, tomatoes and that the average grams of sugars is 4 per serving! Some traditional tomato sauces have up to 13 grams of sugar per serving and is the primary source of a vegetable for children today!

As the girls continued to dip..and then the parents followed suit...they were convinced that a chip does not have to be dipped in a high fat sour cream like dip filled with artificial ingredients and can be just as delicious in a spread such as Bombay Emerald Chutneys. 

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Daily Gourmet - Simply Suzanne Granola

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Switch from Coffee Talk to Toffee Talk...

Great food starts with great people, and Toffee Talk products are no exception.  Owner Catherine Hughes (CJ) grew up enjoying her beloved godmother Suzi’s English-style toffee at family holidays, and eventually, she received the cherished family recipe for her own kitchen.  The stand out recipe, coupled with CJ’s love of cooking, sweets, and tradition, provided the makings of CJ’s Toffee & Toppings.  With the encouragement of her family and friends, CJ launched her business in 2009.  Toffee Talk debuted shortly after—a hand-made delicious array of toffee composed of perfectly caramelized sugar, sweet butter cream, crunchy almonds, peanuts, or walnuts,  and of course, strong notes of a family recipe.  CJ also released Crumble Mumble, a topping combination starring chunks of toffee, chocolate and nuts.  Featured as an ice cream topping, Crumble Mumble is also the perfect way to sneak toffee into your morning meal as an oatmeal mix-in.

CJ’s family and friends continue to inspire her products.  Toffee Talk is also produced in a nut-free version.  First developed to accommodate CJ’s toffee-loving cousin who is allergic to nuts, the product is now available to all toffee lovers who want to pass on the nuts, but still savor the crunchy caramel treat.  CJ’s dedication to her family and friends remain the cornerstone of her business, following in line with the traditional family recipe that started it all!

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Marcia Nodel of Marcia's Munchies...Queen of Pop

When I first met Marcia Nodel, owner of Marcia's Munchies, I knew that she had incredible potential to take her amazing caramel corn & brittle out of her West Bloomfield, Michigan kitchen and introduce it into the kitchens of other Michigan families.  After years of her children urging her to do the same, she took the initiative to spread the Marcia's Munchies love.  She has created a name for herself in the metropolitan Detroit area and is now featured in truly the highest quality restaurants and grocery stores in Detroit, New York City & more....We spoke to various chefs, friends and restaurant owners about her treats and here is what they had to say.... "My customers demand the highest quality gourmet food.  And for over eight years, Marcia's Munchies caramel corn has stayed on their lists.  It's definitely a top seller and it tastes amazing!" - Peter Goatley, Owner and Executive Chef, Palate Pleasers Fine Catering & Gourmet Food, Bloomfield Hills, MI “Our customers can’t get enough of Marcia’s Munchies!  Everyone loves it; it seems that after somebody takes home one bag, they always come back to buy several more for their friends and family.  It’s a great, fresh gourmet snack!”                                       -  Joanie Hurwitz, Owner of Steve’s Deli, Bloomfield Hills, MI   “One of my favorite "goodies" to suggest to my clients for their hotel welcome gifts is Marcia's Munchies! The product is great tasting, has wonderful packaging and is always fresh...and it’s made in Michigan!...a favorite item of mine to include for any special event!”   -       Carolyn R. Hefner, The China Closet, Birmingham, MI   “Marcia’s Munchies hold true to their name and are nearly devoured after only a day in the house! Awesome.”   -       Alex McCrery, Chef and Restaurateur, New York City     “Addicting! I can’t get enough of the sweet Caramel Nut Crunch.”   -       Michal Adam, Website Production Manager, New York City